By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica

Global Markets

• Asia shares rise on more stimulus hopes but dollar loses steam
• Markets take US jobless claims in stride
• Coronavirus pandemic ravages global economy
• Investors pinning hopes on stimulus

Oil Markets

• Oil gains as govt pledge support amid coronavirus chaos
• Brent up 0.8% at $26.56 a barrel (0415GMT)
• WTI up 1.9% at $23.02

Precious metals

• Gold eases on profit-taking but set for best week in 11 years
• Platinum, palladium poised for best week ever
• Silver heads for its best week since 2008
• Spot gold down 0.4% at $1,622.65/oz. (0312GMT)
• US gold futures down 0.7% at $1,640/oz.

Grains

• Soybeans set for best week in 6 mths on production shortfall worries
• Soybeans up 2.5% for the week, biggest gain since Oct
• Wheat poised to extend 2-wk gains to 10%
• Corn set to finish the week up 1%

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]

• South Africa locks down for 21 days
• Moody’s decides on South Africa credit rating; downgrade expected

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today

• G20 leaders to inject $5 trillion into global economy in fight against coronavirus
• Oil slump scalps Nigeria, Angola, Mexico ratings; Saudi and Russia spared
• Nigeria imposes cargo vessel restrictions to curb coronavirus spread
• Zimbabwe cuts rates, miners send coronavirus distress signals
• Nigeria suspends FX sales to retail currency traders
• Egypt reports 39 new coronavirus cases, 3 deaths
• Africa Oil – Spot trade frozen, some crude heads to China
• Coronavirus delays South Africa Airways rescue plan to May
• South Africans fear safety divide as coronavirus panic takes hold in cities
• Africa’s window to curb coronavirus “narrowing every day” – WHO
• South Africa stocks lifted by global markets, gold gains
• Retailer Mr Price’s sales down 22% since South Africa declared disaster
• Zimbabwe central bank cuts main lending rate to 25%
• IEA says global oil demand could drop 20% as 3 bln people in lockdown
• Egypt reduced GDP growth target for FY 2019/20 to 5.1% – minister
• Kenya confirms first coronavirus death
• Soiuth Africa coronavirus cases exceed 900, Ramaphosa urges G20 aid
• G20 leaders say confident “we will overcome this” together
• South Africa port closures add to commodity market turmoil
• Namibia’s GDP contracts by 1.1% in 2019
• EU to launch new Libya sea patrols from April – diplomats
• Mali opposition leader taken hostage with six others – party
• Aveng to stop mining activities during South Africa lockdown
• Nigeria naira fell to new lows on official and spot markets
• Fearing coronavirus, Africa city dwellers flee to the countryside
• Egypt reduces GDP growth target for FY 2019-2020 to 5.1% – minister
• South Africa ports to close for mineral exports, disrupting copper supply chain
• South Africa small businesses pray govt aid eases coronavirus lockdown
• Uganda shilling strengthens as banks’ demand eases
• Mali opposition leader goes missing with 11 others – party
• South Africa Airways rescue plan deadline extended to May 29
• Libya’s NOC reports $555 mln in February revenue, down 69% m/m
• South Africa President Ramaphosa tests negative for coronavirus – presidency
• Kenya shilling strengthens due to slowing importer demand

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters